Valve for pressure treating chambers



1949 F. L. BOTELHO VALVE FOR PRESSURE TREATING CHAMBERS Filed June 6, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Dec. 27, 1949 Iii-rank L. Betcha, San a zfialit, .ass en r to Food Machinery and Chemical @oweration, a

corpora ion of Delaware Application June 6 1945,- Se'rial-No. 597892 The present invent-ion relates to rotary =valve mechanisms for pressure treating chambers such as pressure cooker-s or the like. These rotary valve mechanisms are employed for admitting containers to the cooker '0-1 for discharging them therefrom and are of the general construction disclosed in Reissue Patent No. 15,334 issued to Albert R. Thompson .on .April '11, 192-2.

Although valves -.of this type are provided with suitable sealing rings between the valve rotor or turret and the stationary valve housing :to eitect a pressuretight seal therebetween, an absolute seal against leakage of fluid under pressure cannot be effected especially when there a substantial pressure "differential between the treating chamber and the inlet portion of the valve housing. This leakage of fluid under pressure from the chamber to the valvehousing tendsto' equalize the pressure between the treating chamber "and the valve housing so that further leakage from the treating chamber to the valve housing is dependent upon slight leakage of pressure from treating chamber and the valve housing, i. e. at

the spaces intermediate theside walls of the 110115- ing and the turret, is objectionable-since excessive pressure is exerted thereby against the sealing rings in the housing causing undue friction between the sealing rings and the valveturret. This friction between the sealing .IZiIigS and the turret causes a -brake-like action tending to r ta d 1111.6 movement of the turret [thus requiring ,c'ons'ider'e able power in .drlvingthe turretto overcome the increased load caused by this brake-like action. The resulting wear between the turret and the sealing ring requires frequent replacement-of the same. Likewise an increase ln'wearof the driving mechanism is caused bythis brake-likeaction-so that replacement orparts-ofthe drive mechanism are often necessary.

The valve construction of the present invention has been designed with an object :to iovercome the above disadvantages by .a simple valve iconstruction which is economical in manufacture and highlyefficientrin use.

Another objeutlof'the present inventionziseto provide an improved .vaive construction in which fluid under pressure .withinithe :valve ghousingand intermediate :the side wallsand turret thereof is maintained .at a :minimum.

Another object is to provide an :irnprovedvalve structure -wherein excessive wear andtearpfthe 6:01am. (01. isle-1211,)

eallugrinss, as well as the driv m h nism for the valve turreti is eliminat d.

, Another cb;le,ct;i,-s to relieve undue pressure the valve hou in by retu ni flu d u e pre sur e caping into the same to he pressure treating eleam thm eh th va v during th op ration of the same- Another object is to gradually diminish the pressure developed in the valve housing to thereby a mean pressure vdifferential between th valve hou in and the tr a in ch m r an .to minimize the leakage between the two while t the same tim the f ction etween the ea g ring and t e tur t-is e u ed to permit mor freedom :of rotation .of the latter.

Another .object isto utilize fluid pressure heatme medium leaking from the pressure treating chamber-into the valvehousing to preheat articles i e by the latter while return n a o t ono e fluid pressure heating medium to the chamber.

Qtherebiee s-andadvan age -W1 e me mo apparent from the iollowing description and 'drawirrgsin which:

Fig. ,1 is a side v-lewpf the valve of the present invention. 7

is .a section of l lig ltaken along line .2-2

thereof. g

Ri 3 .is a vertical secti n of th alv ta en along line 3 3 of Ri 7 Big. 4 isasecticn .throughaportion of the valve {taken along line 4-4 in ,Fig. 3.

ll ig. 5 isa ,tragmentarysection similar to Fig. 2 hi ishowiusa zmedificatien of h p es nt nven- .tion.

Referring to .thedrawings ,l designates the shell ert sinsofa p ssurecoekerformine a p essur tight treating chamber whe ein a s. s c aseontamers. to be processe ares bj ct d o a heating medium such .as steam. under pressure. The shell I is provided ,with an opening 3 and .a valv si lnpd tllig eastii g ,4 is secured thereto ,ad- .J'e n saidio snlns in any conv nt o a manne .suchiasibyriv tse r helike. The valve supporting cas ing .4 ,p Q ided' with a m hined valve mounting surfac 6havinsan openin The valveprqper comprises a valve housing in haviu side plates H and 1'2 and an annular w l 31th w ch the si e p ate arep esured :by means of pap screws M in a manner to provide a-pressure tightvalveihousing. The valve hous ingi's furtherprovidedwith a flange LG by which the housing is secured to the valve supporting casting my means of cap screws H. A gasket 18 "interposed between the flange "It and the surface 'i 'ofthe' casting is provided to establish a Each side plate II and |2 is provided with a bearing 23 within which a shaft 24 is rotatably sion of the rings into sealing engagement with the inner surface of the annular wall of the valve housing.

Each transverse partition 36 between the pockets 31 of the turret has a groove 41 which extends transversely of the turret and arranged within each groove is a fiat spring 48 and a sealing strip 49 which extends into contact with each sealing ring and is urged against the inner surface of the annular wall l3 by the spring 48 to thereby seal the pockets 31 from each other to prevent leakage around" the periphery of the turret.

mounted. Each bearing 23 is provided with a stuiiing box 25 for establishing a pressure tight seal between the shaft 24 and the housing I0.

The shaft 24 is driven by any suitable drive mechanism, for instance such as the one disclosed in the aforementioned reissued patent.

Keyed to the shaft 24 for rotation within the 'housing I!) is a turret comprising a' hub portion 3|, a central web portion 32 and an annular portion 33 provided with spaced side walls 34 and 35 and transverse partitions 36 forming a plurality of can receiving pockets 3'! at the periphery of the turret 3B which are open toward the inner surface of the annular wall |3 of the housing It.

The hub portion 3| (Fig. 2) extends from the side plate H to the side plate I 2 of the valve housing It so as to center the turret 30 therebetween and the width of the annular portion of the turret is narrower than the axial length of the hub portion to provide a space 38 within the valve housing on either side of the turret 30.

Arranged on each side of the turret in the spaces 38 is a sealing ring 39 which is split as shown at 40 (Fig. 3) and adapted to expand into sealing engagement with the inner surface of the annular wall i3.

Arranged circumferentially on the side walls H and I2 opposite the sealing rings 39 are a plurality of glands each provided with a recess 4| and seated in the recess of each gland is a compression spring 42 which bears against the respective sealin ring with sufiicient pressure to effect a substantial pressuretight seal between the turret pockets 3'! and the spaces 38 within the housing. cesses 4| in the lower portion of the side plates, i. e. adjacent the chamber 2, are formed in an arcuate embossment 43 which projects from the outside wall of the respective side plates for purposes of assembly. The recesses in the embossments 43 are closely spaced with respect to each other so as to assure a uniform seal, between the rings and turret for withstanding the high pressure exerted on the ring in the zone adjacent the treating chamber 2. The recesses 4| in the upper portion of the side plates are formed in separate plugs 44 which receive and hold the compression springs 42 and are threadedly secured to the respective side plates durin the latter phases of assembly of the housing to press the sealing rings into sealing engagement with the turret. Each sealing ring (Fig. 2) is provided with a hole 45 into which extends the reduced end of a set screw 46 threadedly secured to one of the gland plugs 44 on each side of the valve housing and held in locked position by a lock nut so as to prevent rotation of the sealing rings relative to the valve housing but permittin lateral movement of the rings into sealing engagement with the turret and expan As best seen in Fig. 1, the re- The inlet opening 20 and outlet opening 22 hereinbefore referred to are substantially the same width as the interior of the pockets 31 as seen in Fig.4, that is, from inside to inside of walls 34 and- 35 of the turret, to leave along the sides of the openings 20 and 22 suflicient ledges 52 against which the outer ends of the packing strips 49 bear while passing the openings.

Referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that if the valve is used as a feed valve the containers are fed through the inlet opening 20, are received by the pockets 3'! and are transferred, as the turret rotates clockwise, to the outlet opening 22 through which they are discharged from the valve housing into the chamber 2. It will be understood, however, that if the valve is used as a discharge valve it is so arranged relative to the chamber 2 that the containers are received from the treating chamber through the opening 22 and are advanced by the pockets 3'? to the opening 20 for discharge therethrough.

Although the spaces 38 on either side of the turret 30 are sealed from the exterior of the housing, the pressure in spaces 38 when the apparatus begins to operate is normally substantially the same as the pressure prevailing in the zone to which the opening 28 is exposed. Consequently, as the apparatus begins operating there is a pressure difierential between the chamber 2 and the spaces 38 which pressure differential when in excess of the sealing capacity of the rings 39 induces leakage of fluid under pressure from the chamber into the spaces 38.

It will be noted in Figs. 2 and 3 that the two spaces 38 are in communication with each other through openings 56 formed in the central web 32 and, consequently, any pressure developing within the housing will be equalized on either side of the turret. However, as the pressure in the treating chamber increases the pressure differential between the treating chamber and the valve housing becomes greater and, consequently,

- induces a greater rate of leakage of fluid pressure from the chamber into the housing. Therefore, as pressure develops in the housing, the pressure differential between the chamber and housing is gradually lowered and the rate of leakage from the treating chamber into the housing decreases accordingly until the pressure in the valve housing I0 is substantially equalized with the pressure in the chamber. Thereafter, further leakage of pressure into the valve housing will occur only as the pressure therein is lowered, as, for instance, by leakage from the valve housing through the inlet opening 20 due to the pressure difierential prevailing between the interior of the valve housing and the inlet portion thereof.

It will be noted that the outside face of each packing ring 39 is exposed to the fluid pressure in the space 38 and accordingly a corresponding pressure is applied to each ring in the direction of the arrows 0, (Figs. 2 and 5) thereby pressing the ring against the side wall of the turretwith greater force them the normal pressure of the compression springs 42'. It is, therefore, apparent that during operation of the cooker valve the packing rings are forced intosealing engagement with the turret by the 'fiuid pressure prevailing within the housing and that as the pressure in the housing increases the sealing capacity of each ring accordingly becomes more efiicient thereby resulting in a lower rate of leakage from the chamber to the housing.

Although the increased efficiency of the packing ring is advantageous fromv the standpoint of lowering the rate of leakage, it will be noted that as the pressure the spaces. 38 increases the sealing efficiency of the packing rings, the friction between the turret and rings also increases so that the latter exert a brake-dike action against the turret tending to retard its rotation. Consequently, as the friction between the rings and V turret increases there is greater resistance against rotation of theturretthusrequiring-more power in order to continue rotation of the turret at the desired number of revolutions penminute. Inorder to overcome and prevent undue friction between the rings and turret without completely losing the increased sealing efliciency' caused by the fluid pressure upon the packing,;the side plate l2 has a port 59 for-med therethrough in communication with the space 38 on one side of the valve housing. Secured to the side plate l2 by cap screws 6] is the --flanged. end of an elbow 63 forming one end of a conduit or tube '64 to communicate the latter with the port 60. The conduit 6d extends substantially radially with respect to the housing. 1 and parallelto the plate l2 and has a 90 bend 65 adjacent the edge of the side plate so as to extend. crosswise relative to the annular wall ;l3. Ihe conduit -64 termi nates in an elbow 66 havinga flanged end which is secured by cap screws 61 to a milled surface 63 on the annular wall 1-3 and in alignment with a port ii-l formed through thewall +3 to connect the conduit with the periphery of the turret.

The port It establishescommunication between the conduit '64 and apocket 3:1 as soon as such pocket moves out of registration with the openi'ng 2b and an adequate seal is established by the sealing strip 49 at the trailing end-of the pocket. Since the pocket referred to is nowsealed within the housing and has j ustrleft'communication with the inlet portion thereof, there isa pressure differential between the spaces -38 and such pocket. Consequently, the pressure in the spaces -38 and the pocket 3'! in communication therewith is equalized thereby relieving the pressure in the spaces 38 toalimitedex-tent.

Since the turret is constantly rotated r-clockwise, Eig. 3, it is apparent that the. pockets successively relieve the .pressurewithin the spaces 38 by limited and controlled discharges oi -fluid under pressure into the pockets as they successively pass the port"!!! thereby constantly dimin ishing the pressure within the spaces 38 while checking a completev exhaustion of the pressure therefrom.

The constant diminution .of .pressure in the spaces 38 lowers the sidewise pressure of the range compatible to agnean .-pressure differential between the chamber 2 and. spaces -38 whereby:

the sealing :rings will be forced into effective sealing engagement with the turret by the pressureprevailing in the spaces 38 and therefore will permit relatively little leakage around the sealing rings due to pressure differential while permitting more freedom of movement of the turret. It thereforeiollo-ws that the constant and measured discharges of fluid under pressure from spaces 38 through the pockets 3? While maintaining a mean pressure differential between the chamber and the spaces 38 prevents excessive pressure; in spaces 38 and, consequently, the frict-ional engagement between the sealing ring and turret maintained at a minimum permitting more freedom of movement of the turret.

It will be apparent from an examination of Fig. 3 th'atin valves of the general type embraced by the present'invention there is a constant or fixed loss ofpressur'e through the pockets as they pass from registration with outlet opening 22 at the pressure chamber 2 into communication with theinl'etropening Zll. Although steam under-pressure leaking into the space 38 would be a loss in addition to said fixed loss, by the present arrangement, that portion of the fluid pressure of. which the spaces 3% are relieved is by-passed into thepockets 37 as they approach the pressure chamber. The pockets are, therefore, partially occupied by. recaptured fluid pressure when they arrive; at the outlet opening 22 and, consequently, the amount of steam under pressure passing from the chamber 2 into the pockets as theybegin to approach the inlet opening '28 is reduced.

Since the fluid pressure relieved from the spaces 38 to reduce. friction between the rings and turret is directedinto thepocketsfil as they approach the chamber, such pressure provides 'a portion of the pressure which would otherwise enter the pockets 3'? upon registration thereof with the opening 2-2 and, therefore, the fluid pressure of which the valvehousing is relieved is nota loss in addition to the fixed loss of fiuidipressurethrough the outgoing pockets, but is utilized to lower the fixed :loss, and, accordingly, accomplishes a saving of fluid pressure.

As a result of the foregoing control over the development of pressure in the spaces 38, there is less frictional wear of the packing rings, and, accordingly, they need not be replaced so often. Less horsepower is needed to drive the turret; and there is less wear of the drive mechanism due to the reduction of the load thereon. In addition to the above advantages it will also be noted that when the valve of the present invention is used as a feed type valve, the fluid pressure heating medium'entering the, pockets 3'! as they register with the port 70 has a preheating effect on the articles in the pockets as they advance toward the pressure treating chamber and, consequently, will minimize shock to the articles, especially in cases where the articles are cans containing a substance, such as milk, which is highly sensitive to sudden temperaturechanges caused by an abrupt introduction of the same into the pressure heating medium in the chamber 2.

In the modification shownin Fig.5, both operation and result are the same as in the device illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and parts in'common therewith are identified by the same reference numerals. However, in this modified structure the turret 8%! is of such construction that it would be impractical to provide openings through the central web of the'turret in order to equalize the pressures ;of the two spaces 38. In valves of this character, :both side .-plates. ll. and t2:

have a port 60 formed therethrough in communication with the respective spaces 38. A U-shaped conduit 84 straddles the housing H] with parallel portions 85 of the conduit on either side of the housing. Elbowed ends 83 of the portions 85 are connected to the respective side plates in alignment with the ports 60 and are secured to the respective side plates 1 l and 12 by cap screws 88 thereby establishing communication between the two spaces 33 to equalize the pressures therein. The portion 85 of the conduit joining the parallel portions 85 thereof is disposed transversely and parallel to the annular wall I3 and has an outlet portion 86 extending therefrom and terminating in a flanged end secured by cap screws 81 to a milled surface 88 on the annular wall l3 to connect the conduit 84 to the wall i3 in alignment with the port I and establish communication between the latter and the con- .duit. It is therefore apparent that pressure in the two spaces 38 is diminished in the same manner and for the same purpose as hereinbefore explained in regard to the construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3. At the same time the fluid under pressure of which the housing I0 is relieved is recaptured and utilized to lower the fixed loss of fluid pressure through the outgoing pockets 3'1.

While the improvements in valves for pressure treating chambers described and shown herein have been specifically defined, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that I consider myself entitled to such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the construction of an improved valve for pressure treating chambers, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A valve for admitting articles to or discharging them from a pressure treating chamber, comprising a housing having an opening communicating with said chamber and an opening communicating with the exterior of said chamber, a rotating turret in said housing and narrower than the same to provide interior spaces on either side thereof, said turret having an article carrying pocket movable from one to the other of said openings and having sealing strips across its periphery for preventing leakage along the same from one to the other of said openings, sealing means intermediate said turret and housing and normally urged against the turret for sealing said pocket relative to the interior spaces in said housing, said sealing means being spaced from the inner walls of said housing so as to be subjected to fluid pressure leaking from said chamber into the interior spaces of said housing for augmenting the sealing efiiciency of said sealing means relative to said turret in proportion to the pressure prevailing in said chamber, and means for equalizing the pressure in the interior spaces in said housing and pocket to prevent excessive friction between the sealing means and the turret.

2. A valve for admitting articles to or dis charging them from a pressure treating vessel, comprising a housing having an opening communicating with said vessel and an opening communicating with the exterior of said vessel, a rotating turret disposed in said housing in spaced relation to the side walls thereof to provide an internal chamber between the sides of the turret and the inner walls of said housing; said turret having an article carrying pocket movable from one to the other of said openings and being provided with peripheral sealing strips for preventing leakage of pressure along the periphery of the turret, sealing means in said chamber intermediate said turret and housing and normally urged against the turret for sealing said pocket relative to the internal chamber, said sealing means being spaced from the inner walls of said housing so as to be subjected to fluid pressure leaking from said vessel into the internal chamber whereby said sealing means is forced against said turret for increasing the sealing capacity of said sealing means, and a conduit for communicating the internal chamber with said pocket during its movement between said openings for periodically reducing the fluid pressure acting upon said sealing means to thereby prevent excessive friction between the sealing means and the turret.

3. In a valve for admitting articles tour for discharging them from a pressure treating chamber, the combination with a housing provided with an annular surface and having inlet and outlet openings therein and enclosing a rotating turret disposed in spaced relation to the side Walls of said housing to provide a compartment therein, said turret having an article carrying pocket in its periphery alternately communicable with the interior and exterior of said chamber through said openings, and means associated with said turret for effecting a seal between the annular surface of said housing and the periphery of said turret, sealing means disposed in said compartment intermediate the side walls of said housing and the turret and normally held against the turret for preventing excessive escape of fluid pressure from the interior to the exterior of said chamber other than by way of said pocket, said sealing means being spaced from the side Walls of the housing so as to be subjected to fluid pressure escaping into the same for increasing the sealing efliciency of said sealing means; of pressure relief means comprising a conduit communicating with said cornpartment and extending from one side of said housing to the periphery thereof for conducting a portion of the fluid pressure within said housing to said pocket as it passes between said inlet and outlet openings toward said chamber thereby reducing the pressure acting upon said sealing means in the compartment to prevent excessive friction between the sealing means and said turret.

4. A valve for admitting articles to or discharging them from a pressure treating chamber, comprising a housing having an opening communicating with the interior of said chamber and an opening communicating with the exterior of the chamber, a rotating turret arranged in said housing to leave a clearance space between either side of the turret and said housing, said turret having an article carrying pocket for transferring articles from one to the other of said openings and having peripheral sealing strips for preventing leakage of pressure along the periphery of said turret, a sealing ring narrower than and within each of said clearance spaces and normally held against the sides of said turret, said sealing rings being expansible into engagement with the inner peripheral wall of said housing and pressed against said turret by fluid pressure within said clearance spaces due to leakage of pressure thereinto from said chamber whereby the sealing rings are forced into sealing engagement with the turret, and conduits connecting said clearance spaces with said pocket as it approaches said chamber for equalizing the fluid pressures in the spaces and pocket to maintain a mean pressure differential between the spaces and chamber and to prevent excessive friction between said sealing rings and turret.

5. A valve for a pressure treating chamber comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet opening, one communicating with the interior of said chamber and the other communieating with the exterior of the chamber, a rotary turret in said housing having a pocket for receiving an article therein when said pocket is in registration with the inlet opening of said housing and for discharging the article therefrom when the pocket is in registration with the outlet opening of the housing, said turret having sealing strips in its periphery for preventing leakage of pressure therealong from the interior to the exterior of said chamber, an expansible and laterally movable sealing ring intermediate said housing and turret at each side thereof and narrower in width than the spaces intermediate the turret and side walls of the housing, means for normally holding said sealing rings against said turret with a minimum of pressure, said sealing rings being pressed into sealing engagement with said turret by fluid pressure accumulating within the interior of said housing due to leakage of fluid pressure from said chamber, and means for establishing communication between the interior of said housing and the pocket while it is in transit between said openings and approaching said chamber to relieve the fluid pressure acting on said sealing ring and prevent undue friction between said sealing ring and turret without loss of fluid pressure.

6. A valve for admitting articles to or discharging them from a pressure treating chamber, comprising a housing provided with an annular sur- 18 face having an opening communicating with the interior of said chamber and an opening communicating with the exterior of the chamber, a rotating turret in said housing intermediate the side walls thereof and having an article carrying pocket in its periphery for transferring articles from one to the other of said openings, means for sealing said pocket relative to the interior of said housing including sealing strips between the annular surface of said housing and the turret and sealing rings between the side walls of the housing and the turret expansible into sealing engagement with the annular surface of said housing, means for holding said sealing rings in contact with the turret and in spaced relation to the side walls of the housing, said sealing rings being subjected to fluid pressure leaking from said chamber into the interior of said housing whereby said rings are forced into sealing engagement with the turret, and a conduit for communicating the interior of said housing on either side of said turret with said pocket as it approaches said chamber whereby the pressures in the housing and pocket are equalized thereby reducing the fluid pressure acting upon said sealing rings to prevent excessive friction between the latter and said turret and preheating articles car ried by said pockets while returning fluid under pressure to said chamber.

FRANK L. BOTELHO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,327,540 Fooks Jan. 6, 1920 1,589,452 Bach June 22, 1926 1,808,017 Chapman June 2, 1931 1,978,656 Thompson Oct. 30, 1934 2,393,997 Lehmann Feb. 5, 1946 

